Bundaberg Maturation Manager

About the Company and Role

Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, boasting over 200 brands available in nearly 180 countries. With iconic names such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Tanqueray, and local favourites like Bundaberg Rum, Mr Black, and Ello, the company fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and continuous learning. Joining Diageo means embarking on a rewarding career journey aligned with creating brands that consumers cherish.

Function Overview

The Supply Chain & Manufacturing division at Diageo encompasses production, logistics, engineering, and supplier partnerships, operating at a large scale with over a hundred sites. The team's fast-paced, hands-on approach ensures quality, efficiency, and sustainability from ingredient sourcing through to product delivery.

Role Summary

The Bundaberg Maturation Manager leads the safe, compliant, and efficient operations related to the maturation, blending, and bulk liquid handling of Bundaberg Rum. This position is pivotal to maintaining the aged rum profiles needed for production and customer demand, while safeguarding the integrity and tradition of this iconic Australian spirit.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee maturation, blending, and liquid handling activities ensuring all processes comply with health, safety, environmental (HSE), quality, food safety, excise, and regulatory standards.
• Execute maturation scheduling to guarantee appropriate aged rum volumes and profiles ready for bottling, packaging, bulk dispatch, and future demand.
• Maintain the quality and consistency of Bundaberg Rum by monitoring maturation progress, liquid transfers, sampling, and blending preparations as well as inventory accuracy.
• Manage blending preparations, ingredient additions, quality validations, and dispatch of bulk liquids to meet production specifications.
• Collaborate closely with Planning, Quality, Engineering, Packaging, Logistics, and Site Operations teams to optimize tank utilization, inventory levels, asset reliability, and overall operational efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on maximizing yield, minimizing losses, ensuring traceability, enhancing asset use, and boosting operational performance.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the maturation team, fostering a strong safety culture, operational discipline, and a mindset of ongoing improvement.

Required Experience and Skills

• Background in maturation, blending, beverage alcohol production, food manufacturing, or another process manufacturing industry.
• Proven leadership skills in process manufacturing with a commitment to safe, high-quality operations.
• Solid understanding or the capability to rapidly gain knowledge in liquid handling, process operations, quality management systems, and safety compliance within regulated environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to interpret data related to production, inventory, and quality to support effective decision-making and enhancements.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication proficiencies, facilitating effective collaboration across multiple departments including Planning, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Logistics.
• A proactive leadership approach centered on people development and operational excellence.

Desirable Qualifications and Additional Skills

• Experience with inventory management, barrel or tank operations, blending, and manufacturing systems such as SAP, MES, SCADA, or LIMS.
• Knowledge or experience in Continuous Improvement frameworks like Lean, TPM, or Six Sigma.
• Relevant qualifications in Brewing or Distillation from CIBD or willingness to pursue such credentials.

Flexible Working Arrangements

The company supports flexible working, encouraging discussions about what flexibility means to employees to help balance wellbeing and professional responsibilities from the outset.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive remuneration including market-leading salary, performance bonuses, and industry benefits.
• Flexible hybrid working options without fixed office days to support personal and professional balance.
• Generous family leave policies and support during significant life events.
• Comprehensive wellbeing programs, including mental health support and employee assistance services.
• Career development opportunities through global programs and clear progression paths.
• An inclusive, values-driven culture welcoming diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Employee discounts and exclusive experiences across Diageo’s iconic product portfolio.

Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

Diageo is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. The company strives to be a leading trusted consumer products firm by embracing broad diversity across gender, ethnicity, ability, age, orientation, social class, education, and experiences.

Additional Information

This role is based onsite at Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Applications close 21 days after posting to ensure alignment with team performance goals.